A Statement of Support for the Gaspesie Land Defense

I, Madonna Bernard, as a Mi’kmaq, of the Unamaki territory, and as a land / water protector, stand in solidarity with the people of Gaspesie for standing up again Junex to prevent them from drilling for oil on Mik’maq territory, land of the 7th district in Gespegawagi.

We will support any defenders of Mother Earth. It is our inherent right and duty to protect Mother Earth as indigenous people. We cannot leave it up to the INAC system and the government to protect the environment, because it is a corrupt system. Their only goal is to make money no matter the cost to the environment and future generations.

So I applaud and stand in solidarity with them for their stance against Junex. We have the same fight against Alton Gas here in Sipekne’katik district in Nova Scotia. Treaty supersedes all other laws in so called ‘canada’ and it is time for all indigenous nations and allies in Turtle Island to come together and unite against canada the corporation to protect the environment and future generations. The INAC system was set up to get rid of the ‘indian problem’ and many of our people they are so colonized into believing in the system we are being assimilated into regular society.

The INAC chief here in this district is supportive of Alton Gas and the KMK (the ones so called in charge of our Mi’kmaq rights) have given permission to this company to move forward, but we as grassroots indigenous people did not give our consent for KMK to deal with our inherent rights, and to make backdoor deals and filter money to the INAC chiefs to sign away our rights. Our treaties protect ALL people, water, land, air, and animals to thrive and live together in Peace, Harmony, and in balance with one another.

Mi’gmaq Territory: Galt Blockade, Call for Action!

By Anonymous Contributor, It’s Going Down, August 7, 2017

On stolen Mi’gmaq territory, far from our barricades, we see the river that flows into the majestic Baie de Gaspe. In the distance, we see the forest, that was infinite, being devoured piece by piece by the colonial industries. The greediest of this world have come to extract these oil wells.

Starting yesterday, we intervened and helped to reassert Mi’gmaq juridiction on the illegitimate property of Junex. On the road leading to the Galt Wells, we have set up a blockade and a camp as an act of solidarity with the land and water protectors of Turtle Island.

Because we are against extraction of petroleum and this world of colonial violence. Because we refuse to let Junex do fracturation, exploration, stimulation, injection, massaging or any other type of extraction. Because of the catastrophic threat that Junex currently poses this territory, our camp will last as long as necessary so that these violent projects will remain blocked forever.

Alongside the Indigenous land and water protectors who are helping to reoccupy this area of stolen Mi’gmaq land, we call on others to join our defence against this assault. While we are already many, we need more and more support as we help to protect the land and waters from this state-sponsored project.

Within these grounds, a sacred Mi’gmaq fire will be lit, signifying a united front against the violence of colonial industries and a reassertion of Indigenous stolen nationhood on occupied land. We invite all land and water protectors, warriors and settler allies as we take on this collective struggle together. As a negation of violence against the Indigenous lands, waters and communities, we stand and we will not be defected.

You can help by joining us on the barricades or by taking initiatives to support the blockade and the camp. See the map for how to join us (map coming soon). More details about how to join the barricades will come: Galt is located between Gaspe and Murdochville on the 198, about 20 km from Gaspe. Please, share!